Holiness: “Even the tassels are holy,” by Graydon Stephenson

Posted: April 16, 2018

What is 'holiness'? ‘Holiness’ is the state of being ‘holy’. The noun ‘holiness’ appears infrequently in the scriptures, but the adjective ‘holy’ appears often.

Certain concepts are paired with ‘holiness’. A word does not always mean a single thing. It can vary each time the word is used. However, the range of meanings are often within a common orbit. Words are often paired with similar, related, or even opposing phrases. Pairings may not clarify exactly what a word means, but they often limit the orbit of the word. So, it is useful to examine the range of pairings.

The people must be holy (Exodus 19:6, Deuteronomy 7:6, 14:2, 14:21, 33:2-5). That is why they must not eat meat that was slaughtered by an animal (Exodus 22:3) or creeping things (Leviticus 11:44ff.). That is why they must remain ritually pure (Deuteronomy 14:1-24). They must tear down all altars to idols (Deuteronomy 7:5-7). They must obey all of the laws and statutes of the lord their God (Leviticus 20:7-8, 19:1-3, Numbers 1:37-41, Deuteronomy 26:16-19). Then the surrounding people will observe that they belong to the lord (Deuteronomy 28:8-10).

The law of Moses repeatedly demands that Israel must be ‘holy’ because God himself is ‘holy’ (Exodus 19:6, Leviticus 11:44-45, 20:7, 20:26, 21:8, Deuteronomy 7:6, 14:2, 26:19). Peter references this text when writing to the persecuted Asian church (1 Peter 1:15-16). Since ‘holiness’ is an attribute of God, the people who belong to him are required to possess it. They are blessed, but their blessing must produce a changed life, dedicating their conduct to serve the lord.

So then, what is ‘holiness’?

‘Holiness’ means some particular things for those that love the Lord.

Disciples must turn from evil to become ‘holy’ like God: Do not comply with the evil urges you used to follow in your ignorance, but, like the holy one who called you, become holy yourselves in all of your conduct, for it is written, ‘You shall be holy, because I am holy’ (citing Leviticus 11:44-45 in1 Peter 1:14-16).

‘Holiness’ means that disciples now have a special purpose: Present your bodies as a sacrifice—alive, holy, and pleasing to God—which is your reasonable service (Romans 12:1).

Disciples may live among the nations, but they are different from them. This distinction exists to glorify God and demonstrate his power. The Lord did not set his affection on you and choose you because you were more numerous than other peoples, for you were the fewest of all peoples. But it was because the Lord loved you and kept the oath he swore to your ancestors that he brought you out with a mighty hand and redeemed you from the land of slavery, from the power of Pharaoh king of Egypt. (Deuteronomy 7:7-8)
It is his intention that the other people will notice this difference, and they will turn to him.
The Lord will establish you as his holy people, as he promised you on oath, if you keep the commands of the Lord your God and walk in obedience to him. Then all the peoples on earth will see that you are called by the name of the Lord, and they will fear you. (Deuteronomy 28:9-10).
In the future the mountain of the Lord’s temple will endure as the most important of mountains, and will be the most prominent of hills. All the nations will stream to it, many peoples will come and say, ‘Come, let us go up to the Lord’s mountain, to the temple of the God of Jacob, so he can teach us his requirements, and we can follow his standards.’ (Isaiah 2:2-3)

If these things are not happening, and in abundance, then something is wrong.